North Queensland Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen seeking end to negotiations

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September 30th 2015

3 years ago

MATT Bowen's manager will fly to Townsville next week to resolve long-running contract negotiations while the fullback admits proving his doubters wrong is motivation to push the Cowboys to an unexpected finals berth.

Bowen's manager, Wayne Beavis, will have talks with Cowboys bosses next week to finally end months of speculation of where North Queensland's favourite fullback ends his career.

There had been interest from Gold Coast and England's Super League clubs but Bowen, 31, has said all along he would prefer to stay at the Cowboys.

Gold Coast said last month they would not sign Bowen.

The fullback would not hint at his likely destination only to say he wanted his next deal sorted out.

Bowen will play his second game back from knee surgery against the Broncos in Townsville on Friday night.

He was impressive against Manly in North Queensland's last game, scoring a try after a trademark dummy in the Cowboys' 34-14 loss at home.

His weakened body and inconsistent play have received criticism this year after an impressive 2012 campaign led many to believe he had recovered from knee reconstructions.

The Cowboys must win six of their remaining seven games to qualify for the finals.

Bowen missed the Cowboys' first clash with Broncos this year, a 12-10 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

He admitted showing the rugby league community he still had the magic that made him a State of Origin matchwinner was motivating him towards the end of his season.

"It is. I know it hasn't been my best season, but I feel my body is good now," Bowen said.

"It has been a tough year here.

"My body felt pretty good after the last game (against Sea Eagles). I'm really looking forward to playing the Broncos because it will be a huge game for us.

"The season isn't over for us.''

The Cowboys will be near full-strength with all four of their Origin players healthy.

James Tamou had one of his best games of the season for NSW in the Origin decider, while fellow Cowboys prop Matt Scott was Queensland's players' player in games two and three.

The Broncos are expected to pitch veteran Ben Hannant into their starting team alongside in-form prop Josh McGuire to combat the Cowboys front-row.

McGuire said Scott was undoubtedly the best prop in the game and outgunning their engine room would decide the contest.

"It is always won in the ruck,'' McGuire said.

"They are the two best front-rowers in the game at the moment. He's (Scott) hands down the best front rower in the competition and probably has been the past two years.''

Cowboys backrower Tariq Sims described the game as his own Origin, after missing out on Blues selection.

"I didn't enjoy seeing the Blues get beaten last Wednesday and I'd love to get a win against those Queenslanders from Brisbane,'' he said.

"This is one of the games that you want to be involved in each year.

"It's a local derby, the crowd's usually huge and vocal and there's a massive audience watching on TV.''